Here is everything you need to know before buying a patio umbrella.
An outdoor Patio Umbrella comes in a variety of different designs and styles. However, the basic components remain the same: a base, hub, ribs, pole, frame, and patio umbrella canopy.
How Many Types of Patio Umbrella Frames are Available?
Wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and many different types of patio umbrella frames are available in the market.
- Wooden Patio Umbrella Frame
A wooden frame is mostly used by people who want a rustic look in their gardens and backyards. Woods, such as bamboo, teak, eucalyptus, etc., are used in manufacturing these frames since they are not easily damaged in the open. Some wooden frames are finished with a coating of oil or paint to prevent damage from insects, water, and harsh weather.
- Aluminum Patio Umbrella Frame
It is widely used and preferred due to its lightweight, durability, rust-resistant nature, and overall sturdiness. These frames are made in different styles and finish to match the outdoor aesthetic of the customers' house.
- Fiberglass Patio Umbrella Frame
It is famous for its flexibility; therefore, it can withstand strong winds. Furthermore, this material is also very light in weight, is rust-resistant and weather-resistant, and thus, is the preferred choice of many.
What is a Patio Umbrella Canopy?
A canopy (fabric) is the top part of a patio umbrella pole that blocks the sun's rays and provides shade. This canopy is usually about 4 to 12 feet in diameter.
A patio umbrella canopy comes in different shapes, such as round, oval, rectangular, square, octagonal, etc. Every different shape of the canopy brings a unique look to the entire umbrella.
These canopies also come in different materials resistant to UV rays and harsh weather.
What Are the Patio Umbrella Mechanics?
It includes a pulley mechanism or a crank mechanism.
- Patio Umbrella Pulley Mechanism
This system includes a pulley that opens and closes the umbrella using a locking pin to keep the umbrella locked in a specific position. This is a more traditional system.
- Patio Umbrella Crank Mechanism
This system is more often used nowadays since it is easier than the pulley system. The patio umbrella crank can open, close, and even tilt the umbrella at your desired angle.
What are the general types of patio umbrellas?
There are two general types available in the market. These are the center pole patio umbrella and the cantilever umbrella.
- Center Pole Patio Umbrella
These umbrellas have an erect pole connected from a stable patio umbrella base and go to the canopy's top. The umbrella's base could be fixed or movable by having wheels on it. It can also be installed in the middle of a table which has built-in holes for this purpose.
The center pole umbrella provides ample shade from sunlight that is coming directly so that you can enjoy your time outdoors in peace and a comfortable atmosphere. However, these umbrellas fail to stop the spread-out radiation of the sun from coming in through the umbrella's sides.
A cantilever umbrella is an offset hanging umbrella that is not installed into the holes of a table, nor does it stand straight like a Center pole umbrella. Instead, this umbrella is placed next to a table or a sitting area with its base on the side.
A cantilever umbrella canopy is supported by a jointed or arched pole set at one point on the ground. This pole allows the canopy to hang stably over the area where shade is required. Due to this reason, the cantilever umbrella base is heavier than other kinds of umbrella bases.
Cantilever umbrellas are ideal for people with limited space since it stays on the side and does not interfere with the sitting space around them. The umbrella can cover a large area, and many can be rotated 360 degrees to match the sun's direction.
These umbrellas can provide shade to the following:
- Patio tables with no hole
- Small, constricted spaces
- Small tables
- Pool chairs
What are the Different Styles of Center Pole Umbrellas?
The center pole umbrellas come in a variety of different styles.
- Sunshades: This type of umbrella has a pole with a round disc mounted on it. It provides shade to just one individual.
- Market: They are round or octagonal-shaped umbrellas. They can hold off against strong winds.
- Pagoda: They mix Asian-traditional umbrellas with a Japanese pagoda canopy.
- Half Umbrellas: These umbrellas have a canopy with a flattened side pushed against a wall and a rounded side. These are ideally used in small outdoor spaces such as balconies and porches.
What Material is the Best for a Patio Umbrella?
There are a variety of different kinds of materials that would make your patio umbrella more durable and long-lasting.
The best material for making its canopy is fabrics that are resistant to the harsh UV rays of the sun. These include the Sunbrella and olefin fabrics, both resistant to UV rays and bad weather. These materials are also easy to clean and prevent mold and bacterial growth on the canopy.
The best material for patio umbrella frames is aluminum and fiberglass. These materials do not break or get damaged easily, are light in weight, and are rust-resistant.
How to Store a Patio Umbrella Properly?
It is important to understand properly how patio umbrella storage works. When not using the umbrella, you should close it and cover it with a cover. During winter, you should demount the pole and canopy of the umbrella and give them a proper cleanse. After they have dried, carefully put them away.
Care must be taken to fold the canopy properly. Make sure that the folds are unidirectional to prevent any wrinkles from forming.
The ends of the pole should be carefully covered with cardboard and thick cloth. Store it upright and keep it in a moisture-free, secluded area such as your garage, basement, storeroom, etc.
Do solar lights work on patio umbrellas?
The solar-powered umbrella has multiple solar LED lights installed in it. These LED lights require a solar panel, which can absorb light or photons during the day and then provide power to the lights at night.
Such umbrellas have become popular nowadays since more people have started utilizing solar energy to power their homes. These umbrellas make great use of solar energy and provide light to your outdoor areas at night while providing shade and protection from the sun in broad daylight.
Is a light or a dark shade of patio umbrella better?
When you are under a dark patio umbrella, you will feel a little hotter due to the heat. A dark shade would be hotter than those with a lighter shade since the dark-shaded umbrellas would absorb significantly more heat than light ones. On the other hand, sitting under a lighter umbrella would help you stay cool, even on a hot, sunny day, as lighter colors would prevent the actual canopy of the umbrella from becoming very hot.
The Verdict
Apart from the benefits listed in this article, a patio umbrella can intensify the beauty of the house's exterior by adding some colors, flare, and personality to it since it comes in various styles, designs, textures, prints, and materials.
https://www.sofwe.com/products/patio-furniture/rattan-conversation-sets/6-pieces-patio-rattan-conversation-furniture-sets-wholesale.asp
